Analysts unsurprised over PSC report

Despite the 22 recommendations, implementation still lies in the hands of the EC, which has yet to prove itself as an independent body, say two academics.

PETALING JAYA: The parliamentary select committee’s (PSC) 22-point electoral reforms report contained no surprises for political observers but for different reasons.

The report was tabled and approved in Parliament yesterday without debate despite the opposition expressing discontent that it had failed to address fundamental concerns over the country’s electoral system.

Two of three political observers who spoke to FMT shared an identical view of the PSC being a mere gesture to mollify the thousands of unhappy Malaysians who took part in the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9 last year.

In light of that, they said, it is hardly surprising that the PSC report contained no reforms that would challenge and possibly interrupt Barisan Nasional’s winning streak.

James Chin of Monash University had expected the report to be a “whitewash” but added that it was regretful that the opposition was “sucked” into the charade.

The three opposition members on the nine-member panel were Gombak MP Azmin Ali, Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli and Rasah MP Anthony Loke.

“For some reason they thought that Najib was serious about reforms,” Chin said. “But tell me what incentive would BN have to amend a system that has secured their victory?”

He pointed out that the electoral reforms that have already been put in place – like the use of indelible ink – addressed minor irregularities and would not affect the overall outcome of the next general election.

“The PSC report has left the more serious issues of phantom voters and gerrymandering untouched and for as long as that continues, Malaysia’s electoral system will never be clean and fair,” Chin emphasised.

Too much, too soon

Calling the report yet another of Najib’s “halfhearted and theatrical” attempts at reforms, independent political analyst, Khoo Kay Peng, said that the premier had equally failed to build his credentials as a real leader who would bring about a badly needed transformation in BN.

He highlighted the fact that despite the PSC’s 22 recommendations, the implementation still lay in the hands of the Election Commission (EC) which has yet to prove itself as independent and invested in ensuring clean and fair elections.

“EC’s hesitation in responding to reform recommendations was evident even before the report was unveiled,” Khoo said. “It has never once told the government to stop poking its nose in their affairs.”

“Neither has it been seen as proactively improving the process of democracy. In fact all these recommendations could have been made by the EC, there was no need for a PSC even.”

But KS Balakrishnan of Universiti Malaya defended both the panel and its report by saying that too much was being demanded too soon.

“You can’t expect massive changes in a short period of time,” he argued. “At least for now the panel has been accomodating and has agreed to certain reforms.”

“There are even recommendations for the EC to improve so I don’t see any serious problems with the report. And wasn’t Azmin part of this panel? He is an important opposition member who agreed to a majority of those reforms.”

Balakrishnan also dismissed the notion of a “perfect democracy” which he said didn’t even exist in advanced countries like the United States although it may seem that way to outsiders.

He added that the very fact that in Malaysia there is now acknowledgement of the need for reforms and the inclusion of the opposition in this process showed that the PSC report is a “good direction for the coming election”.